Botanic Garden structures honored for preservation effort

One of Fort Worth’s most iconic gardens has been rehabilitated, and the work has been honored by Historic Fort Worth Inc. for its sympathetic execution.

Bennett Benner Partners earned the 2016 Preservation Project Award for its restoration of the Fort Worth Botanic Garden cascade fountain and upper rose garden shelter. The award recognized phase two of a two-part project. The first phase was honored with a preservation award in 2014.

cascade fountain
Cascade Fountain – The rose ramp features paths that wind through flower beds alongside a cascade of water leading toward a fountain. (Photo courtesy of Steve Huddleston)

rose garden shelter
Rose Garden Shelter – The shelter house at the top of the rose garden gives a beautiful overview of the beds. (Photo courtesy of Steve Huddleston)

Constructed in 1933, the garden cascade fountain and upper rose garden shelter was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2009. In 2015, Bennett Benner Partners worked with the Fort Worth Garden Club to repair the site’s infrastructure while protecting its historic character.

In the second phase, the firm renovated fountains, reinforced walls and walkways and upgraded lighting for evening visitors. The restoration also included adding a new lion’s head sculpture carved from limestone — developed by local artist Kevin Austin — to replace the cast stone head that was installed after the original was destroyed.

“The Fort Worth Botanic Garden is one of the few places in our city where all walks of life peacefully connect,” said Michael Bennett, principal and CEO at Bennett Benner Partners. “To us, that’s meaningful design worth preserving.”

Historic Fort Worth Inc. is dedicated to preserving Fort Worth’s unique identity through stewardship, education and leadership. Each year, the organization’s Preservation Awards program honors projects based on the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.

The Fort Worth Botanic Garden, the oldest in Texas, is at 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd.

Read more here: http://fortworthtexas.gov/news/2016/09/Botanic-Garden-Preservation-Award/

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